Isle of Tiree Tourist Information

Isle of Tiree Holidays

The Isle of Tiree is the most westerly island in the Inner Hebrides and is around twelve miles long and three miles wide. The island is incredibly flat apart from three hills and is covered in the flower-rich machair typical of the Hebridean islands. Its coastline is scalloped with sandy bays and beaches, and with its mild and sunny climate it's a great island for getting away from it all. The winds that are great for windsurfing also have the benefit of blowing away the midges!

Tiree is an excellent wildlife haven. The machair attracts a wide range of birds including lapwing, wheatears, redshank, greylag geese while sanderlings and turnstones can be found nearer the shore. There have been 271 bird species recorded on Tiree and the "Birds of Tiree and Coll" book available from the Isle of Tiree link right details all of them. You can often spot seals just off the island bobbing about in the sea.

There is evidence of prehistoric habitation with over twenty Iron Age forts across the island. Two brochs date from the same period: Dun Mor Bhalla, the only prehistoric structure that has been systematically excavated on Tiree, and Dun Mor a'Chaolais which stands on the hill above Milton harbour.

Getting to the Isle of Tiree

You can reach Tiree by air or ferry. Tiree airport is in the middle of the island around three miles west of Scarinish. It is now possible to fly direct to Tiree from Oban with Highland Airways. There are two daily flights at each end of the day with some flights connecting to the Isle of Coll.

Alternatively you can fly to Tiree from Glasgow with BA/Loganair. The flight takes around an hour and there is one flight each way daily.

Another alternative is to take the ferry. Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries from Oban also run regular services to Tiree from Oban. The services run from Oban to Coll and then on to Tiree. There are also the occasional direct sailing straight from Oban to Tiree. Some of the Oban-Coll-Tiree Inner Hebrides sailings go on to Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

Check the CalMac Island Hopscotch tickets if you're planning to do some island hopping. There is usually one sailing per day Monday-Sunday. Do check the up-to-date timetables as you may need to plan your journey carefully to arrive and depart at suitable times on different days.

Windsurfing Tiree Scotland Surfing Beaches

Tiree is renowned for its windsurfing and surfing. The high winds (an average 18 miles per hour), year round waves and warm climate make it an excellent windsurfing and surfing venue.

With the waves crashing in from the Atlantic it's no wonder the annual UK Wavesailing Championships are held here. The Tiree Wave Classic is a week long competition in October that attracts windsurfers from all over the country. Several windsurfing competitions are held during the week as well as a whole host of organised activities and eating and drinking events!

Check out the link right for more information. The Tiree Wave Classic website also has useful information on windsurfing conditions at fourteen bays and points around the island.

If you're wanting to learn to surf, windsurf or develop your skills, the island has a resident centre that runs RYA and BSA approved training in windsurfing, surfing, kitesurfing and offer kayak hire. Check the link right for more information. Wild Diamond Watersports, Burnside Cottage, Cornaig, Isle of Tiree, Argyll PA77 6XA. Phone: 01879 220 399 Email: info@tireewatersports.co.uk